Hit with criticism over her handling of a new elementary school social studies textbook selection, Pasco County schools superintendent Heather Fiorentino will seek another round of teacher input before bringing her recommendation to the School Board.

Fiorentino took heat over the weekend for proposing adoption of a book that did not win consensus approval of the teacher committee that reviewed the top contenders for district purchase. School Board members and election rivals frowned upon the administration's asking educators to take time looking at materials only to have their opinions ignored.

That never was the intent, Fiorentino spokeswoman Summer Romagnoli told the Gradebook. Rather, the superintendent simply had been hearing commentary from both sides of the selection debate, and she came down with a recommendation she thought would best meet student and district needs.

That being said, Romagnoli continued, Fiorentino is willing to give the issue one more shot. She now plans to withdraw her formal recommendation so she can explain her thought process to the selection committee members. Then the members can anonymously vote for the materials they prefer (unlike the consensus effort that guided the group to support a single title).

Representatives from the book companies will not be presenting to the committee.

"Whichever they feel is the best one, that's what we're going to recommend to the board," Romagnoli said. "We want to be sure everyone's voice is considered."

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.